court certificate conviction letter

[nashenakhteh 0]

Hello ,

I am new to this website and I am hoping , someone can help me with my confusion.

I had been convicted for shoplifting 10 years ago .

I am from Toronto , I married last year to a US citizen and I submitted my I-485 for greencard . I received the interview letter . They asked me to provide them with the certified court letter regarding my conviction.

my questions are

1) do they show the deatils of the crime committed and the disposition in the court certified conviction letter or I have to request different letter from the court.

2 ) how much does it effect the immigration decision regarding my greencard.

I don't exactly remember what was the decision of the court in that time , the only think I remember is , they gave me the option of community service or paying $150 donation .

Can someone please give me some info on this .

my interview date is close and a quick and propper respond will be appreciated .

Thank you

[antda 13]

Hi Nashenakhteh,

Welcome to VJ! In answer to your questions...

This is what the USCIS officially says about court records (found on the instructions of the forms...)....

If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and no charges were filed, send:

An original official statement by the arresting agency or applicant court confirming that no charges were filed.

If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and charges were filed, send:v An original or court-certified copy of the complete arrest record and disposition for each incident (dismissal order, conviction record or acquittal order).

If you have ever been convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program (such as a drug treatment or community service program), send:

1. An original or court-certified copy of the sentencing record for each incident; and

2. Evidence that you completed your sentence: An original or certified copy of your probation or parole record; or

Evidence that you completed an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program.

If you have ever had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged or otherwise removed from your record, send:

An original or court-certified copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging or otherwise removing the arrest or conviction, or an original statement from the court that no record exists of your arrest or conviction.

NOTE: If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you may send any countervailing evidence or evidence in your favor concerning the circumstances of your arrest and/or conviction that you would like USCIS to consider.

Sorry to say this......(but trust me on this one...from personal experience...)...

But they are going to ask for original certified court documents at EVERY stage of the immigration game..(AOS/I-485, I-751, N-400...etc...), despite having them before...makes no sense...but oh well...that's how the USCIS works.....They want the details....lol....

And if you omit such details and documentation...You will end up in more trouble.....for lying to an immigration officer.....and you case will be denied...Regardless of if the charge and/or conviction occured recently, or many years ago, or the outcome, or where it occurred...

And yes, they do check for such court records and even check to see if they are orginals

So yes, you are going to have to get those records some way or other....

Plus Canadian court records are harder to get from the USA....

So if you are in Canada, you might as well get them asap...before you immigrate to the USA....

And if you are not in Canada, you might have to get in contact with the Canadian courts and/or someone in Canada to get them for you..

And make sure you get several certified copies too...

And hopefully you will be able to get them....asap....

Hopes this helps. Good luck on your interview and ther rest of your journey too.

Ant

Hello ,

I am new to this website and I am hoping , someone can help me with my confusion.

I had been convicted for shoplifting 10 years ago .

I am from Toronto , I married last year to a US citizen and I submitted my I-485 for greencard . I received the interview letter . They asked me to provide them with the certified court letter regarding my conviction.

my questions are

1) do they show the deatils of the crime committed and the disposition in the court certified conviction letter or I have to request different letter from the court.

2 ) how much does it effect the immigration decision regarding my greencard.

I don't exactly remember what was the decision of the court in that time , the only think I remember is , they gave me the option of community service or paying $150 donation .

Can someone please give me some info on this .

my interview date is close and a quick and propper respond will be appreciated .

Thank you

Edited February 24, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[milimelo 4,568]

Moving this to AOS forum as it doesn't have anything to do with US citizenhip.